A former Essex district attorney will lead an investigation into a State Police scandal over an altered arrest report that prompted the retirements of the two highest-ranking officials at the agency.

Kevin M. Burke, who served as Essex DA from 1979 to 2003, will lead the probe into the circumstances surrounding documentation of the arrest of Alli Bibaud, who is the daughter of a Dudley District Court judge, State Police announced Friday.

Burke, who also served as the state’s public safety secretary from 2007 to 2010, will look at changes made to reports documenting Bibaud’s October arrest on charges of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, State Police said in a statement.

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Burke will also examine State Police’s “relevant policies and regulations,” according to the agency.

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Colonel Richard McKeon announced he would be retiring as the agency’s superintendent after he was criticized for ordering Trooper Ryan Sceviour to alter a report he wrote after arresting Bibaud, whose father is Timothy Bibaud, first justice of Dudley District Court. Francis Hughes, the agency’s deputy superintendent, shortly thereafter announced his retirement.

After McKeon’s departure, Governor Charlie Baker picked Kerry A. Gilpin to head the force. On her first day on the job, Gilpin announced she was launching an investigation into the scandal.

A State Police release on Friday said Gilpin “determined an independent effort is the most appropriate course for her office’s review in order to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.”

Burke will report his findings to Gilpin, who will then determine “what further action is required,” according to State Police.